Job summary
We are inviting applications from experienced, motivated and enthusiastic candidates to join our exceptional team within Haematology Laboratory at the City Site of Bristol Foundation Trust (BRI).

The Associate Practitioner will work as part of the Haematology, Coagulation and Blood Transfusion team, providing technical support for the delivery of a safe, effective and responsive 24-hour laboratory service.

This is a fixed-term 12-month post established primarily to support the Out of Hours (OOH) service, with the majority of working hours expected to be undertaken during night shifts. There may also be opportunities to undertake early, late, day or weekend shifts depending on service requirements and departmental needs.

The post holder will perform a range of routine and specialist laboratory procedures across Haematology, Coagulation and Blood Transfusion using manual, semi-automated and automated techniques in accordance with departmental procedures, quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Working under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists, the post holder will contribute to the timely processing and analysis of urgent and routine samples, ensuring high standards of service delivery, patient safety and quality are maintained at all times.

The role will support service resilience during out of hours periods and requires the ability to work effectively and independently within established procedures in a busy acute hospital laboratory environment.

Main duties of the job

• Under indirect supervision, perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations accurately and efficiently.
• Undertake quality control procedures and the processing of quality control material as per established protocols.
• Participate in the day to day management of stock control, records and monitor usage to ensure efficient use where appropriate.
• Be aware of current advances and assist in the introduction of new techniques.
• Clean and maintain equipment to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Perform basic troubleshooting in line with established protocols and report any faults to a Biomedical Scientist.
• Participate in processing samples and equipment testing.
• Contribute to the management of the Laboratory quality management system (QMS).
• Process requests for batch products in Transfusion when appropriate.
• Communicate with colleagues and clinicians about test results and provide instruction to groups of health service staff, as appropriate.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to GDPR and Caldicott Guidelines.
• Be able to use Laboratory Information system, email, internet and automated operating systems, and other software packages as required.
• Supervise, organise and allocate work for less experienced staff when required in own area.
• Prioritise own workload and that of others as and when required.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Essential

• Appropriate NVQ 3/diploma or equivalent
• Additional theoretical or applied training to diploma equivalent level
• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties
• Practical experience of working in a science laboratory
• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of working within Haematology, Coagulation or Blood Transfusion laboratories
• Willingness to undertake cross training to extend skill set to deliver role
• Ability and willingness to work predominantly night shifts
• Puts the patient first in everything that is undertaken
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work effectively during Out of Hours periods

Desirable

• Working towards Foundation degree or equivalent
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Experience of working night shifts, weekends or out of hours services

Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa pro rata (Band 4, Agenda for change)
Contract: Fixed term, 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 29 October 2026

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

For questions about the job, contact: Haematology Lead, Iva Dasheva, iva.dasheva@uhbw.nhs.uk, 01173422595

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer.